Dengue fever in Taiwan tops 40,000 cases, still ‘rampant’ in Kaohsiung City

With the addition of 275 locally acquired dengue fever cases reported Thursday, the number of cases in Taiwan have hit a new milestone eclipsing the 40,000 mark, according to the latest data from the Taiwan CDC.

Aedes aegypti mosquito feeding on a human host/CDC

Of the 275 additional cases, Kaohsiung City accounted for the majority with 252.

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) for Dengue Outbreak said although dengue activity in Kaohsiung City has decreased for two consecutive weeks, it still remains rampant. The majority of the reported cases occurred in Sanmin District, Fongshan District, Cianjhen District and Lingya District.

The dengue related death toll remains at 184 nationally.

The CDC notes although the weather has slowly turned cold, the temperature in southern Taiwan (where Kaohsiung City is located) still favors the growth of vector mosquitoes. To prevent ongoing dengue outbreaks from continuing into the winter, the public is urged to remain vigilant for dengue and continue to empty and clean vector breeding sites.